Canada is one of our favourite places to visit. It’s not only one of the most gay friendly countries in the world, it also offers so much to LGBTQ travellers including large gay scenes, Pride events throughout the year, stunning landscapes, and of course many cute guys.

We met one particularly cute Canadian guy at the Whistler Pride event, who is not only a world famous renowned vlogger, but has since become Mr Gay Canada! Josh Rimer is proudly shining the rainbow flag around the world, so we just had to sit him down and get his word about gay life in Canada.

Hi Josh, introduce yourself:

Hi guys, I’m Josh Rimer, 41 years old. I grew up in Red Deer, Alberta, now living in Vancouver in British Colombia with my fiancé Heath. I’m a gay travel vlogger and also host travel content on our national LGBTQ television station that airs daily.

This year I was also made Mr. Gay Canada 2019!

What was it like growing up gay in a small town like Red Deer?

I’ve been out for about 20 years now and luckily it was a much easier and more accepting process than I originally thought it would be. Canada itself is a very progressive country and Canadians are generally very liberal-minded, so I was lucky in that sense.

But I grew up in the days before there was any talk about marriage equality and Red Deer was an area that was especially conservative. This was also just before the Internet so it was difficult to understand and accept that I could be gay. There were no openly gay people around me, so the only homophobia I saw or experienced was when kids would use gay slurs to put someone down, so I knew it wasn’t something there was a positive feeling towards.

Jasper National Park is one of the most beautiful places in Canada. There I said it!

It’s one of the top places you must visit when travelling to Canada. Bucket list worthy, trust me. Plan a trip to Jasper for a few days and experience this National Park and all the best things you can do.

Jasper National Park is the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies, with over 11,000 square kilometres for you to discover. So now that I’ve caught your interest to visit, here are the best things to do in Jasper National Park!

Hands down, the first best thing to do is drive around this national park. The amount of beautiful snow-capped rocky mountains and awe-inspiring natural landscapes around Jasper National Park is worth a drive.

If you have the opportunity to stay in Jasper for a few days, dedicate a day to taking a little road trip around Jasper National Park. It’s worth renting a car if you came to Jasper by the Via Rail train, girl trust me.

Hey travel queens! Are you looking for the inside scoop on Gay Vancouver? Well, this travel guide to gay Vancouver has got you covered! From Vancouver’s gay bars, gay clubs and all things rainbows, Out With Ryan has you covered gurl!

Vancouver is definitely on my top 5 most Gay-friendly cities in Canada. With a wide range of gay events, gay bars, and gay clubs, the city is made to quench your thirst… it also rains a lot and when it does, it’s usually raining men. Whether you are an extrovert or introvert, Vancouver is a must for you travel queens.

This city is a popular destination for gay tourists year-round and has a thriving LGBT nightlife. I’ve spent many nights in Vancouver since two of my best friends live there; one gay, one straight. I’ve experienced Vancouver from the locals’ perspective for over 3 years and very excited to share my Travel Guide to Gay Vancouver!

GAY BARS & GAY CLUBS IN VANCOUVER

Vancouver gay bars and gay clubs are located in the gay village, which is mostly based on a section of Davie Street in the West End. The Gay district of Vancouver is filled with rainbow crosswalks and many gay bars, clubs, and shops!

Dominion Hill Country Inn and Retreat Centre is nestled on sixty five acres, just minutes from Saint Andrews by the sea. Beside the Digdeguash river.

It has been many things over the years. From a farm to a retreat centre. It has a colourful and unique history. The spacious and elegantly revamped manor house, holds four rooms for overnight guests a dining room. Three quaint cottages are nestled in the trees by the carriage house. Our carriage house has a yoga studio, massage chair, conference room.

If you’re anything like me, you’re already itching to be on the slopes. At least, let’s hopethat’s why you’re itching… Luckily, Daddy Christmas has been good to his boys this year and blessed us with plenty of early-season snow and…drum roll please… a brand new ELEVATION Gay Ski Week! (*waits patiently for a chorus of “Yas Kweens”*)

Producer Tom Whitman is bringing his Midas touch to the slopes of Tremblant, Quebec, the #1 ski resort on the East Coast. ELEVATION MAMMOTH has long been the gay ski week gold standard out West, so you’ll understand my excitement that the event is heading East. I know, I know, Canada sounds so exotic and distant, but it’s actually only a couple of hours drive from NYC to Quebec’s “trembling mountain.” (Yes, I googled it, that’s actually what Tremblant means in Algonquin, k?)

Plus, who doesn’t love a man from Montreal?

Whitman says he’s always wanted to expand East, and Tremblant checks all the boxes. “It’s one of the best ski towns in North America and Quebec is famously welcoming to the LGBTQ community. It’s a great place to taste a little Quebecois culture, drink in some natural beauty, and hang out with sexy, friendly boys and girls from Toronto and Montreal. Oh yeah, and our East Coast.”

This year, Whitman’s three ELEVATION events, the “Triple-Crown of Gay Ski,” are well-spaced enough that you could conquer them all.

First up is the freshman event in Tremblant. Taking place January 31stto February 3rd, it’s just far enough after New Years that you’ll be ready for a midwinter gay getaway. In its inaugural year, ELEVATION TREMBLANT is sure to draw a massive crowd of ELEVATION enthusiasts, sporty New Yorkers, and Canadian first-timers (be gentle, they’ve never done this before). Get in on this event early. Years from now, when Tremblant’s gay ski week has become an annual tradition for all the gays from Toronto to Boston, you can say you were one of the first.

Next up is the 9thannual ELEVATION Utah. Set February 21-24th, that gives you three weeks to recover from your Canadian kiki before you meet up with 1,000+ bromos and slope sisters for the annual invasion of the gays in Park City, home of Sundance, the Salt Lake Olympics, and plenty of former-Mormons who just wanna let loose. If you haven’t been recently, it’s worth noting that Park City and Canyons resorts merged a couple of years back, so that’s 7300skiable acres and some of the world’s most beautiful vistas. It’s now the largest ski resort in the U.S. While ELEVATION Mammoth keeps the party mostly contained to the Village, ELEVATION Park City takes you for a twirl on the town, to some of the best local night clubs and restaurants, so pack your dancing boots.

ELEVATION season ends with a little spring skiing. March 13-17 (St. Patrick’s Weekend) marks the 17thannual Mammoth Gay Ski Week, the crown jewel for ski huntys and board bros alike. This year, they’re expecting almost 3,000 guys and gals to take over the Village, transforming this sleepy ski town into a bona fide boy buffet. And if you’ve never been before, expect to be pleasantly surprised by how friendly everyone is.

Whitman says he started ELEVATION MAMMOTH to offer an alternative to the gay party scene in the great outdoors. “What makes ELEVATION work is the attitude of the attendees, or lack thereof. We encourage everyone to leave their ‘city attitude’ at the door, to be friendly, to introduce yourself to new people. Every year people return because of the friends they’ve made and the connections they’ve forged.”

While each ELEVATION event has its own local flavor and flair, there are a few events I personally look forward to every year: The Onesie Apres Ski is a classic (seriously, don’t forget your onesie. If you don’t have one, you’re doing life wrong), the Mammoth Aprés at 10k is the only time I’ve seen someone twerk in ski boots, and the all-new main event, GEAR, is perhaps the sexiest party of the year. It’s like a warehouse party at altitude (don’t think about it too hard). The dress code is in the name: transform your ski equipment into something a little kinkier, just put some THOT into it… or go ahead and pack your harness. I know you’ve got one.

Every year, I have a different experience at ELEVATION, and I’ve loved every one of them. I’ve met some of my favorite people on the mountain at Mammoth, and spent whole days getting some one-on-one time in with one of my besties in Utah. You can ski all day and crash early, party hard and sleep in, or be the first-chair-last-call hero we all wish we were.

Harlem Stonegate B&B is a superb choice for visitors who are searching for a blend of charm, peace and quiet, and a convenient location from which to experience or discover the natural beauty of Southeastern Ontario.

We offer:

an inspirational, comfortable, non-smoking environment, to unwind, relax, and rejuvenate;

charming period elegance with modern accents and pastoral views well suited to romantic getaways, intimate weddings or elopements; and

exceptional, personalized service, and are available to give constant care and attention to the needs of our guests.

Harlem Stonegate B&B is situated in an amazing 1860’s stone farmhouse and adjoining carriage house, originally built to support a 200-acre dairy farm. Restored in the mid 1990’s (and recently updated), using carefully chosen traditional materials, and while offering every modern comfort still retains its charming stone farmhouse style. The current property is approximately 50-acres and includes a tranquil sugar bush, peaceful waving hayfields, serene wetlands and fascinating majestic post-and-beam bank barns.

The multi-cultural megacity of Toronto, Ontario, Canada can boast a wooded, rural, non-hectic getaway gem just a short ferry ride into Lake Ontario – think New York City with it’s Central Park, but in Toronto, with beaches. While only 300 ft into Lake Ontario with no bridge link, the island’s charm and non-commercialism is a relaxing respite from Toronto’s high rises and city center just a short distance away.

Take a picnic, put on your bathing suit (or take it off at the one of a few of Canada’s official Clothing Optional beaches), rent a tandem bike or family quadracycle or stroll the miles of walking trails in the wooded greenery bird-watching, swimming in Lake Ontario, or exploring Centreville Theme Park. On a summer’s afternoon, there’s a full day of activities to keep yourself and your family busy!

Getting to the Toronto Islands by Ferry is the easy part (it’s a relaxing 15-minute ferry ride), getting into the downtown core to park may be the challenge. Public transit is best if you live in or near Toronto, but for those outside the city, there is ample parking available at the numerous lots (especially on weekends) near the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal. Expect about $20 for the day’s parking.

Montreal is one of our favourite cities we’ve visited during our travels, especially during the summer months.

We came here during the Fierte Montreal gay pride and completely fell in love with the gay village. There are always many events going on Montreal not to mention many different foods to try.

One of our favourite gay travel bloggers, Barry from Toronto told us about his 5 favourite highlights from Montreal’s gay village following his recent visit during the gay pride:

Where to take the best selfies

I love La Graine Brûlée because it is super colourful and quirky. Check out the leopard printed seats, mini ferries wheel, graffiti covered cubby holes and small nooks that make it look like a play room with old Nintendo games. This unique cafe is located on the west side of the Montreal gay village right by the Berri-UQAM metro station. For me, this is THE place to take a selfie to kick off a great night out in the Montreal gay village.

I also love taking selfies by the rainbow crossings that mark the entrance of the gay village. Try to get the background ball installation in your picture, which is rainbow coloured during Pride.

Montreal also has some of the best street art murals, which are perfect backgrounds for your Instagram gallery.

“The city is romantic, it offers a wide variety of fine restaurants, has a European flair, and, most importantly, both visitors and residents find an openness of mind, an acceptance of differences.”

We started to get nervous as a burly police officer gave us that I’m-about-to-walk-over eye. My boyfriend and I were taking a quick-kiss selfie in front of Québec City’s Fontaine de Tourny. He steps over in unison with the banging of drums from a First Nations’ festival happening across the street at Parc de l’Esplanade.

“Hey guys, let me take that photo for you,” he says, in a deep Québec accent. We pose. I wrap my arm around Jason, but keep him at justfriends length.

“Come on,” he says. “Give him another kiss, act like you like each other,” he laughs while holding up the phone and crouching like a mom taking a picture of her kids before they leave for the first day of school.

We give one another a big kiss, the officer takes the snap, and then he gives us a gentle wave goodbye. “Happy pride,” he says walking back to the festival gates.

Both of us were in somewhat of a shock by the incident and had to take a minute to discuss what just happened. Being from New York, we are programed to be suspicious of strangers, never mind a cop approaching us. It was so sweet that we savored the scenario as we stood by the cascading fountain waters.